Stabilizer for cantilevered tire building drum

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for stabilizing a tire building drum wherein the tire building drum has two ends, is permanently supported at a single cantilever support end, and the remaining end is a free end. The method comprises providing a free end support engaged with the free end to stabilize the tire building drum by restricting lateral movement of the free end; and freeing the free end by temporarily retracting the free end support when desired, e.g., to enable application of annular tire components on the tire building drum, or to enable removal of a built tire from the tire building drum. Preferably, the free end support allows rotation of the tire building drum while the free end support is engaged with the free end. A preferred embodiment uses overtravel of actuator linkages stopped against an extension stop to lock the free end support in place, engaged with the free end, to stabilize the tire building drum without requiring continued power input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60,323,822 filed on Sep. 21, 2001 by Cornet etal.

[0002] This application relates to U.S. patent application entitledMETHOD FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES ON A FLEXIBLE MANUFACURING SYSTEM, Ser.No. 09/957,785, filed on Sep. 21, 2001.

[0003] This application relates to U.S. patent application entitledPRECISION LONGITUDINAL REGISTRATION OF TIRE BUILD DRUM TO FMS WORK

[0004] STATION, Ser. No. 09/957,731, filed on Sep. 21, 2001.

[0005] This application relates to U.S. patent application entitledPRECISION ALIGNMENT OF TIRE BUILDING DRUM TO AUTOMATED TIRE BUILDINGSYSTEM WORKING AXIS, Ser. No. 09/960,078, filed on Sep. 21, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention relates to automated tire building machinesand, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for stabilizing thefree end of a cantilever mounted tire building drum in an automated tirebuilding system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is well known that the components of most pneumatic tireconstructions must be assembled in a way which promotes good tireuniformity in order to provide proper tire performance. For example, atread which “snakes” as it goes around the tire circumference will causewobbling as the tire is operated. For example, a carcass ply which islopsided (longer cords on one side of the tire than the other side) cancause a variety of tire nonuniformity problems including staticimbalance and radial force variations. For example, a tire which is notmeridionally symmetric (e.g., tread not centered between beads) cancause a variety of tire nonuniformity problems including coupleimbalance, lateral force variations, and conicity. Therefore, in orderto meet typical tire performance requirements, the tire industrygenerally expends considerable effort in producing tires with gooduniformity. Tire uniformity is generally considered to mean tiredimensions and mass distributions which are uniform and symmetricradially, laterally, circumferentially, and meridionally, therebyproducing acceptable results for measurements of tire uniformityincluding static and dynamic balance, and also including radial forcevariation, lateral force variation, and tangential force variation asmeasured on tire uniformity machines which run the tire under load on aroad wheel.

[0008] Although certain degrees of tire nonuniformity can be correctedin post-assembly manufacturing (e.g., by grinding), and/or in use (e.g.,applying balance weights to the rim of a tire/wheel assembly), it ispreferable (and generally more efficient) to build-in tire uniformity asmuch as possible. Typical tire building machines comprise a tirebuilding drum around which the tire components are wrapped in successivelayers including, for example, an innerliner, one or more carcass plies,optional sidewall stiffeners and bead area inserts (e.g., apex),sidewalls, and bead wire rings (hereinafter simply referred to as“beads”). After this layering, the carcass ply ends are wrapped aroundthe beads, the tires are blown up into a toroidal shape, and thetread/belt package is applied. Typically the tire building drum is in afixed location on the plant floor, and the various layers of componentsare applied manually or automatically using tooling registered toreference points on the fixed drum in order to ensure componentplacement with the desired degree of precision. The tooling is generallyfixed relative to the tire building drum, for example a guide wheel onan arm extending from the same frame (machine base) which supports thetire building drum.

[0009] The tire building drum must be supported in a way that allowsbeads, which are complete circles or rings, to be applied on the tirecarcass as it is built in layers that are wrapped on the tire buildingdrum. Also, there must be a way to remove a green tire when the tirebuilding process on the tire building drum is completed. The tirebuilding drum may be permanently supported on only one end, therebycreating a “free end” over which the beads may be applied, and the greentire may be removed. This single-ended support is commonly known as acantilever mounting. An everyday example of a cantilever mounting is adiving board.

[0010] Various problems must be addressed for a cantilever mounted tirebuilding drum, especially considering tire industry requirements for theuniformity of tires built on the drum, and also desires for durabilityof the manufacturing equipment. For example, large force moments arecreated on a cantilevered tire building drum support due to factorsincluding the weight of the tire building drum, the weight of the tirecomponents applied to the drum, and lateral forces (i.e., forces in anydirection radial to the tire building drum axis of rotation) from thetire component application equipment (e.g., stitching rollers that pressthe components together). In cases wherein the tire building drumrotates during the tire building process, then these force moments cancause problems (e.g., unusual wear) for bearings positioned in thesupport to facilitate rotation of the drum. Tire uniformity is affectedif the tire building drum is allowed to bend in response to the forcesbearing on it which could, for example, cause a tire layer to be laid ina spiral. For a cantilever mounted drum, the bending could be along thelength of the drum and/or could be involve pivoting where the tirebuilding drum is held by the permanent support. To stabilize the tirebuilding drum, i.e., to prevent drum bending and/or other undesirablemovement, a cantilever mounted tire building drum must be more rigid andmust involve much more substantial bearings and other connections to thesingle end support than comparable tire building drums that aresupported on both ends. Obviously, such increased robustness costs more,generally adds to the overall weight, and produces equipment which ismore complex and therefore more difficult and expensive to maintain.Finally, the present invention addresses the additional problems ofcantilever mounted drum stabilization that arise when the tire buildingdrum is no longer fixed, but instead is a work-piece in a flexiblemanufacturing system (FMS) wherein the building drum is moved betweenautomated work stations for application of successive component layersin successive work stations. The context of the present invention is anFMS having work-pieces (tire building drums) which are too large toallow the use of a precision pallet conveyor, so the tire building drumsare moved (propelled) by other means which are not necessarily able, bythemselves, to achieve sufficient accuracy in positioning the tirebuilding drums relative to the work stations. The work stations eachhave a centerline, or “working axis” of the work station tire assemblydevices (tools), and the axis of the tire building drum must beprecisely aligned with the working axis in each work station. Suchalignment includes assuring that each point along the entire drum lengthof the tire building drum axis of revolution is within a specifiedprecision distance of the work station working axis, i.e., alignmentcomprises making the tire building drum axis of revolution coincidentwith the work station working axis. Since the tire building drum is on amoving platform, it must maintain the desired alignment without imposingtoo great a weight burden on the moving platform. Furthermore, since themoving tire building drums may not be continuously connected to a powersource, it is desirable that any drum support/stabilizer should be ableto provide stabilizing support without the continuous application ofpower, be it electrical or air pressure or otherwise.

[0011] The present invention is intended to overcome the limitations ofthe prior art by providing method and apparatus for stabilizing acantilever mounted tire building drum, particularly one that rotates,and particularly in the context of tire building drums that move fromstation to station through a flexible manufacturing system for tirebuilding.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to the invention, there is disclosed a method forstabilizing a tire building drum wherein the tire building drum has twoends, is permanently supported at a single cantilever support end, andthe remaining end is a free end. The method comprises the steps of:providing a free end support engaged with the free end to stabilize thetire building drum by restricting lateral movement of the free end; andfreeing the free end by temporarily retracting the free end support whendesired.

[0013] According to the invention, the step of freeing the free end isenacted to enable application of annular tire components on the tirebuilding drum, or to enable removal of a built tire from the tirebuilding drum. Preferably, the step of freeing the free end comprisesthe steps of: retracting the free end support to disengage the free endsupport from the free end in a way that allows unbroken circular objectsto be applied to or removed from the tire building drum; waiting untilthe free end no longer needs to be free; and extending the free endsupport until the free end support is engaged with the free end tostabilize the tire building drum by restricting lateral movement of thefree end.

[0014] According to the invention, the method further comprises the stepof allowing rotation of the tire building drum while the free endsupport is engaged with the free end.

[0015] According to the invention, the method is characterized bystabilizing the tire building drum by restricting lateral movement ofthe free end in all directions radial to an axis of rotation of the tirebuilding drum. Alternatively, the method is characterized by:stabilizing the tire building drum by restricting lateral movement ofthe free end in directions radial to an axis of rotation of the tirebuilding drum,. The directions are within plus or minus 90 degrees ofthe vertically downward direction. Alternatively, the directions arewithin plus or minus 45 degrees of the vertically downward direction.

[0016] According to the invention, the method further comprises the stepof locking the free end support in place, engaged with the free end tostabilize the tire building drum without requiring continued powerinput. Preferably, the step of locking comprises: moving mechanicalelements that extend the free end support past the point that causes thefree end support to be engaged with the free end; and providing a stopfor the mechanical elements at a point such that forces (F, Fh, Fv)resulting from lateral movement of the free end act to hold the free endsupport in a state of engagement with the free end.

[0017] According to the invention, apparatus for stabilizing a firebuilding drum (120, 220, 320), wherein the tire building drum has twoends, is permanently supported at a single cantilever support end, andthe remaining end is a free end; the apparatus comprising: means forproviding a free end support engaged with the free end to stabilize thetire building drum by restricting lateral movement of the free end; andmeans for freeing the free end by temporarily retracting the free endsupport when desired.

[0018] According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises:means for retracting the free end support to disengage the free endsupport from the free end in a way that allows unbroken circular objectsto be applied to or removed from the tire building drum; control meansfor waiting until the free end no longer needs to be free; and means forextending the free end support until the free end support is engagedwith the free end to stabilize the tire building drum by restrictinglateral movement of the free end.

[0019] According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises:means for allowing rotation of the tire building drum while the free endsupport is engaged with the free end.

[0020] According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises meansfor stabilizing the tire building drum by restricting lateral movementof the free end in all directions (μ, β) radial to an axis of rotationof the tire building drum. Alternatively, the apparatus furthercomprises means for stabilizing the tire building drum by restrictinglateral movement of the free end in directions (α, β) radial to an axisof rotation of the tire building drum, the directions being within plusor minus 90 degrees of the vertically downward direction. Alternatively,the directions are within plus or minus 45 degrees of the verticallydownward direction.

[0021] According to the invention, the apparatus further comprises meansfor locking the free end support in place, engaged with the free end, tostabilize the tire building drum without requiring power input.Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means for moving mechanicalelements that extend the free end support past the point that causes thefree end support to be engaged with the free end; and means forproviding a stop for the mechanical elements at a point such that forces(F, Fh, Fv) resulting from lateral movement of the free end act to holdthe free end support in a state of engagement with the free end.

[0022] According to the invention, apparatus is disclosed for locking atire building drum free end support in place, extended and engaged withthe free end, to stabilize the tire building drum without requiringpower input, the apparatus comprising: two support arms that areextendable to engage with the free end; a sliding block connected toeach support arm and sliding on a slide rail for extending the supportarms; a rotary actuator to use power input for extending the supportarms; actuator linkages connected between the rotary actuator and thesliding blocks for converting rotary motion to horizontal slidingmotion, the actuator linkages comprising: a rotary link attached at itscenter to a rotary actuator shaft, a first slide link pivotablyconnected at one end to a first end of the rotary link and pivotablyconnected at the other end to a first sliding block, and a second slidelink pivotably connected at one end to a second end of the rotary linkand pivotably connected at the other end to a second sliding block;rotational motion of the rotary link characterized in that: a rotationangle of zero degrees causes the actuator linkages to be aligned in away that spreads the sliding blocks farthest apart, thereby fullyretracting the support arms; and a rotation angle of 180 degrees causesthe actuator linkages to be aligned in a way that pulls together thesliding blocks as much as possible, thereby fully extending the supportarms; and an extension stop that stops rotation of the rotary link in anovertravel state characterized in that the rotary link has rotated pastthe 180 degree point that caused full extension of the support arms.

[0023] The present invention is particularly useful in conjunction witha system for simultaneously building a plurality of tire carcasses, suchas is disclosed in the commonly owned, copending U.S. patent applicationentitled METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES ON A FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURINGSYSTEM, Ser. No. 09,957,785, filed on Sep. 21, 2001. The methoddisclosed therein generally comprises the tire building steps ofestablishing a sequence of at least three and up to ten work stations;advancing at least three disconnected tire building drums along aworking axis extending through the at least three work stations; andapplying one or more tire components to the tire building drums at eachof the work stations. Then the resulting green tire carcass is removedat the last of the work stations. Finally, the tire building drum isadvanced from the last work station after the green carcass has beenremoved to the first work station. The tire building drums are eachindependently advanced along the working axis. Each of the disconnectedtire building drums are advanced along the working axis so that the axisof rotation of the disconnected tire building drums is aligned with theworking axis. The plurality of disconnected (i.e., independentlymovable, not connected to one another) tire building drums can besubstantially simultaneously advanced along a working axis with selfpropelled devices to which the tire building drums are mounted from onework station to another. The tire building drums are advanced along theworking axis so that an axis of rotation through the building drum ismaintained at a constant predetermined height and location and inparallel alignment with the working axis. An intake server is located ateach of the work stations for operating the tire building drums. Theintake servers are coupled to the building drums while maintaining theaxis of rotation through the building drums at the constantpredetermined height and location and in parallel alignment with theworking axis. The intake server at each of the work stations move fromtheir normally retracted position outward across the working axis into aposition to couple to that tire build drum. Then the building drums areuncoupled from the intake servers after the tire component(s) have beenapplied to the building drums. Next, the intake server at each of thework stations are retracted to their normally retracted position, priorto the now uncoupled tire building drum advancing to the next workstation. The step of applying one or more tire components to the tirebuilding drums at each of the work stations includes applying the tirecomponents to the tire building drums while maintaining the axis ofrotation through the building drums at the constant predetermined heightand location and in parallel alignment with the working axis. This isaccomplished by providing one or more application drums at each of thework stations for applying the tire component(s) to the building drums.The application drums are moved from their normal retracted positionaway from the working axis to a location where the tire components canbe applied to the building drums while maintaining the axis of rotationthrough the building drums at the constant predetermined height andlocation and in parallel alignment with the working axis. Then theapplication drums are retracted at each of the work stations to theirnormally retracted position, prior to advancing the tire building drumto the next work station.

[0024] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent in light of the following description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of theinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawingfigures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.Although the invention is generally described in the context of thesepreferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intendedto limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these particularembodiments.

[0026] Certain elements in selected ones of the drawings may beillustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectionalviews, if any, presented herein may be in the form of “slices”, or“near-sighted” cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lineswhich would otherwise be visible in a true cross-sectional view, forillustrative clarity. Elements of the figures are typically numbered asfollows. The most significant digit (hundreds) of the reference numbercorresponds to the figure number. Elements of FIG. 1 are typicallynumbered in the range of 100-199. Elements of FIG. 2 are typicallynumbered in the range of 200-299. Similar elements throughout thedrawings may be referred to by similar reference numerals. For example,the element 199 in a figure may be similar, and possibly identical tothe element 299 in another figure. Elements of the figures can benumbered such that similar (including identical) elements may bereferred to with similar numbers in a single drawing. For example, eachof a plurality of elements collectively referred to as 199 may bereferred to individually as 199 a, 199 b, 199 c, etc. Or, related butmodified elements may have the same number but are distinguished byprimes. For example, 109, 109′, and 109″ are three different elementswhich are similar or related in some way, but have significantmodifications, e.g., a tire 109 having a static imbalance versus adifferent tire 109′ of the same design, but having a couple imbalance.Such relationships, if any, between similar elements in the same ordifferent figures will become apparent throughout the specification,including, if applicable, in the claims and abstract.

[0027] The structure, operation, and advantages of the present preferredembodiment of the invention will become further apparent uponconsideration of the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

[0028]FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an automated tire building system(FMS), according to the invention;

[0029]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a workstation of the FMS showinga tire building drum in precision placement relative to an applicationdrum, according to the invention;

[0030]FIG. 1C is a side view of a tire building drum cantilever mountedon a drum support frame with the free end stabilized by a free endsupport, according to the invention;

[0031]FIGS. 2A and 2B are end views of a first embodiment of a free endsupport, showing the support retracted in FIG. 2A, and extended tosupport a tire building drum in FIG. 2B, according to the invention;

[0032]FIGS. 3A and 3B are end views of a second, preferred embodiment ofa free end support, showing the support retracted in FIG. 3A, andextended to support a tire building drum in FIG. 3B, according to theinvention;

[0033]FIGS. 3C and 3D are perspective end views of the preferredembodiment of a free end support, showing the support retracted in FIG.3C, and extended in FIG. 3D, according to the invention; FIG. 4A is aschematic end view of an actuator linkage for the free end support ofFIGS. 3A-3D, showing the actuator linkages in position for the retractedstate of the free end support as shown in FIG. 3C, according to theinvention;

[0034]FIG. 4B is a schematic end view of the actuator linkages of FIG.4A, showing the actuator linkages in position as the free end support ispartly extended, according to the invention; and

[0035]FIG. 4C is a schematic end view of the actuator linkages of FIG.4A, showing two of the three actuator links in position for the extendedstate of the free end support as shown in FIG. 3D, with the links lockedin position by overtravel, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The present invention concerns stabilizing a free end of acantilever mounted tire building drum. The free end of the tire buildingdrum is the axial end opposite to the axial end that is cantilevermounted to a fixed drum support. The stabilizing is intended to provideextra support of the free end to minimize bending, tilting or othermovement of the tire building drum, especially during tire buildingoperations. A secondary purpose of the stabilizing is to reduce stressand resultant wear on bearings and other mechanical elements of the tirebuilding drum and associated components. The cantilever mounting isgenerally utilized so that beads (wire bead rings), which arepre-assembled complete rings, can be applied to the tire building drumby being threaded over the free end; and also so that completed tirecarcasses can be removed from the tire building drum after building, bysliding the built carcass off of the free end. Therefore, a requirementof the stabilizer is that it must be removable or otherwisedisconnectable to allow bead application and carcass removal.

[0037] The present invention is described in the context of an automatedtire building system (FMS or flexible manufacturing system) thatrequires precise positioning of machine components such as the tirebuilding drum in order to manufacture tires with a high degree of tireuniformity. Although the embodiments and concepts disclosed herein aredescribed in this context, it should be understood that the inventivedevices and methods for stabilizing are applicable to any cantilevermounted tire building drum, rotating or not rotating, movable betweenworkstations or fixed in place.

[0038] The automated tire building system is designed to enableprecision placement of a tire building drum relative to tools (tirebuilding devices such as “application drums”) of a work station when thetire building drum comprises a moving work-piece in an automated tirebuilding system having one or more work stations, and the tire buildingdrum is moved (propelled) into and out of each work station. Theapplication drums of each work station are aligned vertically andhorizontally to a working axis, and are positioned longitudinally alongthe working axis, which working axis preferably extends linearly throughall of the one or more work stations in sequence from first to last,such that the first tire building operations are performed in the firstwork station, and the last tire building operations are performed in thelast work station. Thus, precision placement of the tire building drumat each work station can be accomplished by precisely aligning the axisof the tire building drum to the working axis at each work station, andby precisely positioning a tire building drum longitudinal referencepoint to a corresponding work station longitudinal reference point ateach work station. The tire building drums are cantilever mounted, so afree end support that stabilizes the free end of the tire building drumwill further assist in maintaining alignment of the axis of the tirebuilding drum to the working axis at each work station. Tire buildingdrums are typically too large to allow the use of a precision palletconveyor so, in the described system, the tire building drums are movedby self-powered vehicles riding on wheels upon the plant floor. Sincethe vehicles, by themselves, are unable to achieve sufficient accuracyin positioning the tire building drums relative to the work stationapplication drums, the system includes additional methods and means forprecision placement of the tire building drum.

[0039]FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a tire building system (FMS)100 as disclosed in commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/957,785, entitled METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES ON AFLEXIBLE MANUFACURING SYSTEM, filed on Sep. 21, 2001, incorporating thedrum stabilizing methods and means of the present invention. A pluralityof self-powered automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) 102 a, 102 b, 102 c,102 d, 102 e (collectively called “102”) move corresponding tirebuilding drums 120 a, 120 b, 120 c, 120 d, 120 e (collectively called“120”) through a plurality,of work stations 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d(collectively called “110”), in the direction shown by arrows 105. TheAGVs 102 follow a path determined by a guide wire 104 embedded in theplant floor, shown in FIG. 1A as an oval path passing through the workstations 110 from a first work station 110 a to a last work station 110d, then looping back around to the first work station 110 a. The workstations 110 are aligned to, and spaced along, a common, linear workingaxis 111, and the AGV guide wire 104 is approximately parallel to theworking axis 111 where the guide wire 104 passes through the workstations 110. Also parallel to the working axis 111 and passing throughthe work stations 110 is a rail system 130 comprising a V-rail 131(precisely parallel to the working axis 111), a flat rail 132(approximately parallel to the working axis 111), a V-rail entry ramp133, a V-rail exit ramp 135, a flat rail entry ramp 134, and a flat railexit ramp 136. Each work station 110 comprises one or more applicationdrums 112 a, 112 b, 112 c, 112 d, 112 e, 112 f, 112 g(collectivelycalled “112”), one or more supply reels 113 a, 113 b, 113 c, 113 d, 113e, 113 f, 113 g(collectively called “113”), and an intake server 114 a,114 b, 114 c, 114 d (collectively called “114”). The application drums112 are precisely aligned vertically and horizontally to the workingaxis 111, and are positioned longitudinally along the working axis 111relative to a work station longitudinal reference point 115 a, 115 b,115 c, 115 d (collectively called “115”) established for each workstation 110, for example on a forward surface of the intake server 114.Although self-powered, and automated to follow the guide wire 104, theAGVs 102 are also subject to external control, for example by radiosignal and/or proximity switches, so that the AGVs 102 can be controlledto stop at each work station 110 for a suitable amount of time beforeproceeding to the next work station 110.

[0040] An exemplary sequence of operations for the tire building FMS 100is as follows, wherein a green tire carcass is built. For the first stepof a green tire carcass building process, the AGV 102 a moves an emptytire building drum 120 a into the first work station 110 a and stopsapproximately at a desired stopping point within the first work station110 a. The intake server 114 a extends laterally (in the direction ofthe arrow 107) to a position rearward of the tire building drum 120 a,couples to the tire building drum 120 a while uncoupling the tirebuilding drum 120 a from the AGV 102 a, and moves the tire building drum120 a into a precision longitudinal position by abutting a drumreference point against the work station longitudinal reference point115 a. Simultaneously, the tire building drum 120 a is precisely alignedwith the working axis 111 by the rail system 130, thereby providingprecision placement in three dimensions of the tire building drum 120 arelative to the application drums 112 a, 112 e of the first work station110 a. Now the application drums 112 can apply the first layers of tirecomponents, pulling the components from their supply reels 113. Powerand control signals are communicated to/from the tire building drum 120by the intake server 115. For example: one innerliner is pulled from thesupply reel 113 e and applied by the application drum 112 e, and a pairof toe guards are pulled from the (double) supply reel 113 a and appliedby the application drum 112 a. When the application processes arecompleted in the workstation 110 a, the intake server 114 a releases thetire building drum 120 a and re-couples it to the AGV 102 a, uncouplesand retracts to a position clear of the path of the AGVs 102 and tirebuilding drums 120, thereby allowing the AGV 102 a to move the tirebuilding drum 120 a to the next work station 110 b. In order to clearthe way, all AGVs 102 present in workstations 110 move approximatelysimultaneously, but do not have to be connected together. Alternatively,there can be gaps between AGVs 102 which allow the AGVs to moveasynchronously. For the next step of the green tire carcass buildingprocess, the AGV 102 a moves the tire building drum 120 a into thesecond work station 110 b whereupon operations similar to thosedescribed for the first work station 110 a are performed, therebyapplying further tire carcass components from the supply reels 113 b,113 f of the second work station 110 b. At approximately the same time,the AGV 102 e has moved an empty tire building drum 102 e into the firstworkstation 110 a for application of the first tire carcass components.The above steps are repeated as the AGVs 102 move the tire buildingdrums 120 through all of the work stations 110 in sequence, so that thetire carcass components are applied in their proper sequence on the tirebuilding drums 120. After completion of the application of components inthe last work station 110 d, the built green tire carcass may be removedfrom the tire building drum 120 for further processing in subsequenttire manufacturing stages (not shown), thus emptying the tire buildingdrum 120 e so that it may be moved by the AGV 102 e back around the pathof the guide wire 104, ready to start another green tire carcassbuilding process in the first work station 110 a. An inside bead wirering may be applied to the empty tire building drum 120 e at any timeafter removing the built green tire carcass, conveniently as part of thecarcass removal operation in the last workstation 110 d.

[0041]FIG. 1B illustrates a workstation 110 with a tire building drum120 in precision placement relative to an application drum 112(partially shown in cutaway). The intake server 114 is extended andcoupled to the tire building drum 120, thereby establishing a preciselongitudinal position for the tire building drum 120. The tire buildingdrum 120 is supported by a drum support frame 122 which in turn sitsabove the AGV 102. A portion of the rail system 130 comprising theV-rail 131 and the flat rail 132 is shown supporting and aligning thetire building drum 120 through skates (one flat skate 137 visible)attached to the bottom of the drum support frame 122, thereby preciselyaligning the tire building drum 120 with the working axis 111, i.e.,making an axis of rotation 121 of the tire building drum 120 preciselycoincident with the working axis 111. An embodiment of the inventivefree end support 140 is shown attached to the drum support frame 122.The free end support 140 is extended vertically so that it is inposition to support and stabilize a free end 123 of the tire buildingdrum 120 that is cantilever mounted at the other end 125 on the drumsupport frame 122, thereby assisting in maintaining precision alignment(i.e., coincidence) of the axis of rotation 121 of the tire buildingdrum 120 with the working axis 111 of the workstation 110. To facilitaterotation of the tire building drum 120, the free end support 140 isengaged with a free end ring bearing 124 that is mounted on the free end123 of the tire building drum 120.

[0042]FIG. 1C illustrates a sideview of the drum support frame 122 withimportant elements attached thereupon. The drum support frame 122 isshown riding on top of an AGV 102. The fire building drum 120 iscantilever mounted at one end 125 to the drum support frame 122 to allowcomplete rings such as tire beads to be applied during tire building,and also to allow a completed green tire carcass to be removed. The tirebuilding drum 120 is rotatable about a central axis of rotation 121rotating in one or more bearings (not shown) between the tire buildingdrum 120 and the drum support frame 122. The free end ring bearing 124is shown mounted on the free end 123 of the tire building drum 120, andthe free end support 140 is shown in an extended state, engaged with thefree end ring bearing 124 in order to stabilize the tire building drum120 while also allowing the tire building drum 120 to rotate about itsaxis 121.

[0043]FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic end views of a first embodiment of afree end support 240 (compare 140), mounted on a drum support frame 222(compare 122). The drum support frame 222 is resting on an AGV 202(compare 102), and supports a tire building drum 220 (compare 120) thatis cantilever mounted upon the drum support frame 222. The free end 223(compare 123) of the tire building drum 220 has a free end ring bearing224 (compare 124) mounted on it. FIG. 2A shows the free end support 240in a retracted position (or “state”), and FIG. 2B shows the free endsupport 240 in an extended position suitable for stabilizing the tirebuilding drum 220 at its free end 223. The tire building drum 220 has anaxis of revolution 221 (compare 121).

[0044] The first embodiment of a free end support 240 is a simplescissors-like device having first and second support arms 242 a and 242b, respectfully, (collectively referred to as 242) that are comparableto scissor blades, and a scissor pivot 244 that pivotably connects thetwo support arms 242, with a first support arm 242 a located in front ofa second support arm 242 b as viewed in FIGS. 2A-2B. The scissoringaction is accomplished by first and second sliding blocks 246 a and 246b, respectfully, (collectively referred to as 246) pivotably attached toone end of the support arms 242 and slidably connected to a slide rail248. The first sliding block 246 a is connected to the first support arm242 a, and the second sliding block 246 b is connected to the secondsupport arm 242 b. It can be seen that to fully extend the free endsupport 240, the sliding blocks 246 must slide past each other,therefore the first sliding block 246 a slides on a front side of thesliding rail 248, and the second sliding block 246 b slides on a backside of the sliding rail 248. At the top of the free end support 240,each of the two support arms 242 has an arcuate cradle 243 shaped toengage with the free end ring bearing 224 in order to providestabilizing support to the tire building drum 220. A first cradle 243 ais formed on the first support arm 242 a, and a second cradle 243 b isformed on the second support arm 242 b. The support arms 242 and cradles243 are dimensioned so that, as the sliding blocks 246 move together,the free end support 240 will rise up and reach a maximum height “H”just as the cradles 243 engage with the free end ring bearing 224. Thecradles 243 conform to the outside circumference of the free end ringbearing 224, and the maximum height H is the height needed to maintainthe axis 221 of the tire building drum 220 level from the free end 223to the cantilever mounted end of the tire building drum 220.

[0045] The extension and retraction of the free end support 240 can beautomated by providing, for example, air cylinders (not shown) to movethe sliding blocks 246 along the slide rail 248. It should be apparentthat the free end support 240 is not likely to remain in an extendedstate unless some sort of latch is provided to lock it in place,resisting the forces of gravity and tire building operations which willmostly act in a way tending to push the cradles 243 away from the freeend ring bearing 224, thereby “opening the scissors”, i.e., retractingthe free end support 240. For example, a solenoid-activated latch pincould be actuated to engage with a hole in a sliding block 246.Alternatively, air pressure in the air cylinders could be maintained tocontinue forcing the free end support 240 into its fully extended stateagainst the free end ring bearing. This latter option has thedisadvantage of requiring continuous air pressure that may not beavailable to the free end support 240 as it rides on the AGV 202 betweenwork stations 110. Another method for locking the free end support 240in place comprises placing it into an “overtravel” state. If there issufficient springiness in the mechanical components of the free endsupport 240, then it may be possible to push the sliding blocks 246 pastthe point at which they cause the fullest extension of the support arms242 and therefore begin to cause retraction of the free end support 240.If a mechanical stop (not shown) is positioned to halt sliding of thesliding blocks any further past the overtravel state, then the forcespushing the cradles away from the free end bearing ring 224 will holdthe sliding blocks against the stop, thereby locking it in place withouta need for continued power input.

[0046]FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic end views of a second, preferredembodiment of a free end support 340 (compare 140), mounted on a drumsupport frame 322 (compare 122). The drum support frame 322 is restingon an AGV 302 (compare 102), and supports a tire building drum 320(compare 120) that is cantilever mounted upon the drum support frame322. The free end 323 (compare 123) of the tire building drum 320 has afree end ring bearing 324 (compare 124) mounted on it. FIG. 3A shows thefree end support 340 in a retracted position (or “state”), and FIG. 3Bshows the free end support 340 in an extended position suitable forstabilizing the tire building drum 320 at its free end 323. The tirebuilding drum 320 has an axis of revolution 321 (compare 121).

[0047]FIGS. 3C and 3D are perspective end views of the preferredembodiment of a free end support 340, showing the support 340 retractedin FIG. 3C, and extended in FIG. 3D.

[0048] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, the preferred embodiment of a freeend support 340 is similar to a scissors-like device, but the two“scissor blades” are independently operated rather than being pivotablyconnected to each other. Furthermore, the free end support 340 has amore sophisticated means for accomplishing the scissoring action, ameans that advantageously also provides a means of locking the support340 into an extended state without requiring continuous poweravailability. The free end support 340 has first and second support arms342 a and 342 b, respectfully, (collectively referred to as 342), with afirst support arm 342 a located in back of a second support arm 342 b asviewed in FIGS. 3A-3D. First and second struts 345 a and 345 b,respectfully, (collectively referred to as 345), are connected betweenthe support arms 342 and the frame 341 of the free end support 340. Thefirst strut 345 a is pivotably connected to the first support arm 342 aat a first arm-strut pivot 347 a (only seen in FIG. 3C), and pivotablyconnected at its other end to the free end support frame 341. The secondstrut 345 b is pivotably connected to the second support arm 342 b at asecond arm-strut pivot 347 b, and pivotably connected at its other endto the free end support frame 341. The scissoring action is accomplishedby first and second sliding blocks 346 a and 346 b, respectfully,(collectively referred to as 346) pivotably attached to one end of thesupport arms 342 and slidably connected to a slide rail 348. The firstsliding block 346 a is connected to the first support arm 342 a, and thesecond sliding block 346 b is connected to the second support arm 342 b.To extend the free end support 340 from the retracted state (see FIG.3C) to the extended state (see FIG. 3D), the sliding blocks 346 movetogether, pushing the pivotably connected end of the support arms 342horizontally. The struts 345 are inextensible, so the horizontalmovement of one end of the support arms 342 is converted to verticalmovement of the other end of the support arms 342.

[0049] At the top of the free end support 340, each of the two supportarms 342 has an arcuate cradle 343 shaped to engage with the free endring bearing 324 in order to provide stabilizing support to the tirebuilding drum 320. A first cradle 343 a is formed on the first supportarm 342 a, and a second cradle 343 b is formed on the second support arm342 b. The support arms 342 and cradles 343 are dimensioned so that, asthe sliding blocks 346 move together, the free end support 340 will riseup and reach a maximum height “H” just as the cradles 343 engage withthe free end ring bearing 324. The cradles 343 conform to the outsidecircumference of the free end ring bearing 324, and the maximum height His the height needed to maintain the axis 321 of the tire building drum320 level from the free end 323 to the cantilever mounted end of thetire building drum 320.

[0050] The cradles 343 have arc lengths suitable for wrapping around thefree end ring bearing 324 to stabilize the tire building drum 320against movement due to lateral forces directed at angles other thanvertically downward (“lateral” meaning a direction radial to the tirebuilding drum axis of rotation 321). The first cradle 343 a extendsaround to an angle a as measured from the vertically downward direction(radial to the tire building drum axis 321), and the second cradle 343 bextends around to an angle β as measured from the vertically downwarddirection (radial to the tire building drum axis 321). Generally the twoangles α and β are equal, but that is not necessary and the cradle arclength angles can be tailored to counter whatever forces and forcedirections are anticipated in the context of the tire building equipment100 such as the operations of the application drums 112. Indeed, given asuitable design for the paths of the cradles 343 as the free end support340 extends, it would be possible to completely enclose the free endring bearing 324 by making both cradle arc length angles α and β equalto 180 degrees. In the context of the present invention, arc lengthangles α and β equal to 90 degrees or less are sufficient, and arepreferably approximately 45 degrees. In other words, each cradle 343preferably extends around the free end ring bearing 324 from zerodegrees to approximately plus or minus 45 degrees from the verticallydownward direction.

[0051] The extension and retraction of the free end support 340 isautomated by the use of a rotary actuator 350 that is, for example,powered by air pressure. By means of an inventive set of actuatorlinkages 460 (see FIG. 4A), the rotary motion of the rotary actuator 350is utilized to move the sliding blocks 346 along the slide rail 348. Itshould be apparent that the free end support 340 is not likely to remainin an extended state unless some sort of latch is provided to lock it inplace, resisting the forces (e.g., force “F” as shown in FIG. 3B) ofgravity and tire building operations which will mostly act in a waytending to push the cradles 343 away from the free end ring bearing 324,thereby “opening the scissors”, i.e., retracting the free end support340 by forcing the sliding blocks 346 apart (e.g., as shown by thehorizontal force arrow “Fh”). The inventive actuator linkages 460provides the desired latching function, as will be describedhereinbelow. As best viewed in the detailed drawings of FIGS. 3C and 3D,a rotary link 352 is attached at its center to a rotary actuator shaft353 so that the rotary link 352 will rotate along with the rotaryactuator shaft 353 whenever the rotary actuator 350 causes its rotaryactuator shaft 353 to rotate. Symmetrically spaced from the rotaryactuator shaft 353, at opposing ends of the rotary link 352, one endeach of first and second slide links 354 a and 354 b, respectfully,(collectively referred to as 354) is pivotably connected to the rotarylink 352. The other end of each slide link 354 is pivotably connected toa sliding block 346, the first slide link 354 a being pivotablyconnected to the first sliding block 346 a, and the second slide link354 b being pivotably connected to the second sliding block 346 b. Itcan be seen that when the free end support 340 is in the retracted stateas in FIG. 3C, rotating the rotary link 352 clockwise (in the directionindicated by an arrow 355) will pull the slide links 354 in a way thatcauses the sliding blocks 346 to slide towards each other, therebycausing the free end support 340 to move toward the extended state shownin FIG. 3D.

[0052] The operation of the actuator linkages 460 will be described inmore detail with reference to FIGS. 4A-4C that are schematic end viewsof a rotary link 452 (compare 352) and slide links 454 (compare 354)only, isolated from the remainder of the free end support 340 in orderto allow a clear view of the operation of the actuator linkages 460. Itmay be noted that only one of the two slide links 454 are shown in FIG.4C, again for the sake of clarity. The rotary link 452 is attached atits center to a rotary actuator shaft 453 (compare 353). Symmetricallyspaced from the rotary actuator shaft 453, at opposing ends of therotary link 452, one end each of first and second slide links 454 a and454 b, respectfully, (collectively referred to as 454, compare 354) ispivotably connected to the rotary link 452. A first rotary link to slidelink pivot 459 a pivotably connects one end of the rotary link 452 toone end of the first slide link 454 a. A second rotary link to slidelink pivot 459 b pivotably connects the opposite end of the rotary link452 to one end of the second slide link 454 b. The rotary link to slidelink pivots 459 a and 459 b (collectively referred to as 459) aresymmetrically spaced on opposing sides of the rotary actuator shaft 453so that rotation of the rotary link 452 will cause substantially thesame amount of movement for the two slide links 454. The other end ofeach slide link 454 is pivotably connected to a sliding block (notshown, e.g., sliding blocks 346), by a slide link to sliding block pivot457 a, 457 b. The first slide link 454 a is pivotably connected to thefirst sliding block (not shown, e.g., 346 a) by the first slide link tosliding block pivot 457 a, and the second slide link 354 b is pivotablyconnected to the second sliding block (not shown, e.g., 346 b) by thesecond slide link to sliding block pivot 457 b. A horizontal lineindicates the path line 449, parallel to the slide rail (not shown,e.g., 348), to which the slide link to sliding block pivots 457 areconstrained to follow because they are connected to the sliding blocks(not shown, e.g., 346) that slide along the slide rail 348. Preferably,the actuator linkages 460 are arranged so that the path line 449 alsopasses through the center of the rotary actuator shaft 453.

[0053]FIG. 4A shows the actuator linkages 460 in position for theretracted state of the free end support 340 as shown in FIG. 3C; FIG. 4Bshows the actuator linkages 460 in position as the free end support 340is partly extended; and FIG. 4C shows part of the actuator linkages 460in position for the extended state of the free end support 340 as shownin FIG. 3D. When the free end support 340 is in the retracted state asin FIGS. 3C and 4A, rotating the rotary link 452 in the directionindicated by an arrow 455 (compare 355) will pull the slide links 454 ina way that causes the slide link to sliding block pivots 457 to slidetowards each other, thereby causing the free end support 340 to movetoward the extended state as in FIG. 3D and 4C. As described hereinabovewith reference to FIG. 3B, a force F that pushes the cradle 343 awayfrom the free end ring bearing is translated by the free end support 340into a horizontal force Fh. In FIGS. 4B and 4C, the force Fh is shown byan arrow labeled “Fh”, said arrow indicating the direction of the forceFh as it acts on the second slide link 454 b through the second slidelink to sliding block pivot 457 b. A slide link line of effect 456 isshown passing through the centers of the second slide link to slidingblock pivot 457 b and the second rotary link to slide link pivot 459 b.A path line to slide link angle θ shows the angular relationship betweenthe second slide link 454 b and the path line 449.

[0054] In FIG. 4B, where the free end support 340 is partly extended,the path line to slide link angle θ has a positive value (angled abovethe path line 449), the slide link line of effect 456 is above thecenter of the rotary actuator shaft 453 and therefore a resultantvertical force component Fv acting on the second rotary link to slidelink pivot 459 b is directed upward as shown by the arrow labeled “Fv”.It can be seen that an upward-directed force Fv will oppose the rotarylink 452 rotation in the direction 455. In other words, if notoverpowered by the rotary actuator 350, an upward-directed force Fv willtend to retract the free end support 340.

[0055] In FIG. 4C, the free end support 340 is essentially fullyextended. An extension stop 462 prevents the rotary link 452 fromrotating in the direction 455 any further than shown. For example, anedge 461 of the second slide link 454 b is stopped against the firstrotary link to slide link pivot 459 a. A feature of the presentinvention is that the extension stop 462 is positioned so that theactuator linkage 460 is stopped (reaches a stopping point) when therotary link 452 has rotated far enough to be in an “overtravel” state.In other words, the path line to slide link angle θ has passed throughzero degrees and is stopped at a few degrees in the negative direction(angled below the path line 449) so that the slide link line of effect456 is below the center of the rotary actuator shaft 453 and therefore aresultant vertical force component Fv acting on the second rotary linkto slide link pivot 459 b is directed downward as shown by the arrowlabeled “Fv” in FIG. 4C. It can be seen that a downward-directed forceFv will assist rotary link 452 rotation in the direction 455. In otherwords, even if the rotary actuator 350 is not powered, adownward-directed force Fv resulting from the horizontal force Fh (whichresults from the force F pushing cradles 343 away from the free end ringbearing 324) will act to hold the actuator linkage 460 against theextension stop 462, thereby holding the free end support 340 in anextended state, stabilizing the free end 323 of the tire building drum320. It can be seen that the fullest extension of the free end support340 occurs when the path line to slide link angle θ equals zero degrees,so preferably the cradles 343 are fully engaged with the free end ringbearing 324 just before (e.g., 1 to 2 degrees before) the path line toslide link angle θ equals zero degrees, and preferably the magnitude ofovertravel to the stopping point is just after (e.g., 1 to 2 degreesafter) the path line to slide link angle θ equals zero degrees.

[0056] Although the invention has been illustrated and described indetail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character it beingunderstood that only preferred embodiments have been shown anddescribed, and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention are desired to be protected. Undoubtedly, manyother “variations” on the “themes” set forth hereinabove will occur toone having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention mostnearly pertains, and such variations are intended to be within the scopeof the invention, as disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for stabilizing a tire building drum,wherein the tire building drum has two ends, is permanently supported ata single cantilever support end and the remaining end is a free end; themethod comprising the steps of: providing a free end support engagedwith the free end to stabilize the tire building drum by restrictinglateral movement of the free end; and freeing the free end bytemporarily retracting the free end support when desired.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein: the step of freeing the free end isenacted to enable application of annular tire components on the tirebuilding drum, or to enable removal of a built tire from the tirebuilding drum.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step offreeing the free end comprises the steps of: retracting the free endsupport to disengage the free end support from the free end in a waythat allows unbroken circular objects to be applied to or removed fromthe tire building drum; waiting until the free end no longer needs to befree; and extending the free end support until the free end support isengaged with the free end to stabilize the tire building drum byrestricting lateral movement of the free end.
 4. A method according toclaim 1, further comprising the step of: allowing rotation of the tirebuilding drum while the free end support is engaged with the free end.5. A method according to claim 1, characterized by: stabilizing the tirebuilding drum by restricting lateral movement of the free end in alldirections radial to an axis of rotation of the tire building drum.
 6. Amethod according to claim 1, characterized by: stabilizing the tirebuilding drum by restricting lateral movement of the free end indirections radial to an axis of rotation of the tire building drum, thedirections being within plus or minus 90 degrees of the verticallydownward direction.
 7. A method according to claim 6, characterized inthat: the directions are within plus or minus 45 degrees of thevertically downward direction.
 8. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the step of: locking the free end support in place, engagedwith the free end, to stabilize the tire building drum without requiringcontinued power input.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein thestep of locking comprises: moving mechanical elements that extend thefree end support past the point that causes the free end support to beengaged with the free end; and providing a stop for the mechanicalelements at a point such that forces resulting from lateral movement ofthe free end act to hold the free end support in a state of engagementwith the free end.
 10. Apparatus for stabilizing a tire building drum,wherein the tire building drum has two ends, is permanently supported ata single cantilever support end, and the remaining end is a free end;the apparatus comprising: means for providing a free end support engagedwith the free end to stabilize the tire building drum by restrictinglateral movement of the free end; and means for freeing the free end bytemporarily retracting the free end support when desired.
 11. Apparatusaccording to claim 10, further comprising: means for retracting the freeend support to disengage the free end support from the free end in a waythat allows unbroken circular objects to be applied to or removed fromthe tire building drum; control means for waiting until the free end nolonger needs to be free; and means for extending the free end supportuntil the free end support is engaged with the free end to stabilize thetire building drum by restricting lateral movement of the free end. 12.Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means for allowingrotation of the tire building drum while the free end support is engagedwith the free end.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 10, furthercomprising: means for stabilizing the tire building drum by restrictinglateral movement of the free end in all directions radial to an axis ofrotation of the tire building drum.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 10,further comprising: means for stabilizing the tire building drum byrestricting lateral movement of the free end in directions radial to anaxis of rotation of the tire building drum, the directions being withinplus or minus 90 degrees of the vertically downward direction. 15.Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that: the directionsare within plus or minus 45 degrees of the vertically downwarddirection.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:means for locking the free end support in place, engaged with the freeend, to stabilize the tire building drum without requiring power input.17. Apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: means formoving mechanical elements that extend the free end support past thepoint that causes the free end support to be engaged with the free end;and means for providing a stop for the mechanical elements at a pointsuch that forces resulting from lateral movement of the free end act tohold the free end support in a state of engagement with the free end.18. Apparatus for locking a tire building drum free end support inplace, extended and engaged with the free end, to stabilize the tirebuilding drum without requiring power input, the apparatus comprising:two support arms that are extendable to engage with the free end; asliding block connected to each support arm and sliding on a slide railfor extending the support arms; a rotary actuator to use power input forextending the support arms; actuator linkages connected between therotary actuator and the sliding blocks for converting rotary motion tohorizontal sliding motion, the actuator linkages comprising: a rotarylink attached at its center to a rotary actuator shaft, a first slidelink pivotably connected at one end to a first end of the rotary linkand pivotably connected at the other end to a first sliding block and asecond slide link pivotably connected at one end to a second end of therotary link and pivotably connected at the other end to a second slidingblock; rotational motion of the rotary link characterized in that: arotation angle of zero degrees causes the actuator linkages to bealigned in a way that spreads the sliding blocks farthest apart, therebyfully retracting the support arms; and a rotation angle of 180 degreescauses the actuator linkages to be aligned in a way that pulls togetherthe sliding blocks as much as possible, thereby fully extending thesupport arms; and an extension stop that stops rotation of the rotarylink in an overtravel state characterized in that the rotary link hasrotated past the 180 degree point that caused full extension of thesupport arms.